Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A popular Irish joke is: Q: Why can't Irishmen be lawyers?A: They can never get past the bar. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1999. “An Irishman walks out of a bar” is a…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Coat of arms of New YorkThe coat of arms of the state of New York was formally adopted in 1778, and appears as a component of the state's flag and seal.…
A pun has it that "poisoned coffee is grounds for divorce." The joke has been cited in print since at least 1968. "Poisoned coffee, n.: Grounds for divorce" has been cited since…
"If you ever live in a community run by a committee, be on the committee" has been credited to American social scientist William Graham Sumner (1840-1910). It's uncertain when he…
A popular Irish joke is: Q: What's the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish wake?A: There is one less drunk at the wake. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1966. Old…
A popular Irish joke is: Q: Why can't Irishmen be lawyers?A: They can never get past the bar. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1999. “An Irishman walks out of a bar” is a…
"Thank you, student loans, for helping me get through college. I don't think I can ever repay you" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "Dear Student Loans…
A popular computer programming joke is: Q: Why did the programmer quit his job?A: Because he didn't get arrays (a raise). The joke was cited on Twitter on August 17, 2009. Microsoft tweeted…
A joke on the song title "Git Along, Little Dogies" is: Q: Why did the cowboy buy a wiener dog (dachshund)?A: He wanted to get a long little doggy. The joke applies to buying a dachshund…
A joke on the song title "Git Along, Little Dogies" is: Q: Why did the cowboy buy a wiener dog (dachshund)?A: He wanted to get a long little doggy. The joke applies to buying a dachshund…
"Rock bottom" is the lowest level or point. A joke about stone statues is: "I slapped a statue's ass. I've officially hit rock bottom." "I slapped a statue on the…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A time travel version is: "Bartender says 'We don't serve time travelers…
A "red flag" is a metaphor for a problem. A red flag is also a symbol of Communism. A joke was posted on reddit on December 4, 2014: We should've known about the failure of…
"Pasteurize" sound likes "past your eyes," prompting the pun: Q: Why is milk so fast?A: Because it's pasteurized before you can see it. The joke was cited in a riddle book…
There's a joke about private tutors: Q: What do you call a teacher who doesn't fart in public?A: A private tootor. The pun began as a musical joke. "WHEN is an educational instructor…
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (for breast cancer) began in 1982; there have been other races called a "run for the cure." Comedian Garet Seman joked on Twitter on October 26, 2013:…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Resource InvestorThe Value of GoldBy Paul De SousaJune 14, 2011 "Betting against gold is the same as betting on governments. He who bets on governments and government…
German sausage is "Wurst" and cheese is "Käse," prompting the pun that a pairing of the two is a "Wurst-Käse scenario" (worst-case scenario). "Wurst-case…
For those who think that the New York (NY) Times newspaper is a joke (or is otherwise yucky), it's called the "New Yuck Times." The "New Yuck Times" nickname has been cited…
New York City is sometimes called "Jew York" (Jew + New York), a reflection of the many Jews living there. The New York (NY) Times newspaper is also sometimes called the "Jew York…